(no subject)
Chapter Seventeen
When the light from the pond chamber poured in, Skif could easily see that the Knights were against the back of their prison. Three of the four nights where leaning against the wall with faces of disinterests trying to appear nonchalant. To Skif, their apprehension was clearly visible in the tension of their muscles or the way their eyes followed his every move. Over the last several days their fear of Skif was growing beyond distrust to almost terror. Skif attributed this change to them spending day after day of listen to Sir Erik venomous accusations of him being a witch.
Sir Erik didn’t even try to hide his hate. The moment the boulder was pushed aside each day he would launch into a well prepare speech aimed at getting a reaction out Skif. Despite how hard Skif tried to ignore him, Sir Erik always seemed to be able to tell when a comment hit home and would continue to harp on that point ‘til the boulder was slide back in place.
‘Not to day.’ Skif strolled into the prison with purpose and commenced into his own speech.
“Good day, my lords. I come bearing news. The nature of this news is of grave important to you all and it will take some time to explain and discuss in detail. Before being with that, I have prepared a roasted boar for dinner and enough hot water for all to have a through washing. ” All four of the Knights stiffened at Skif declaration, it was clear that they had all assumed that the worse. Skif did his best to reassure them. “Please Milord’s fear not. My news is not so heinous. It merely a matter you should be aware of before it occurs. You have my word. I mean you no harm. Please come. After nearly a fortnight trapped in this chamber, I am sure you would like a few moments of away and the fire is quite inviting. It has been far too long since any of you have had a warm meal, a clean bath and fresh robes…”
Sir Erik was the first to recover his voice. “Why should we trust you, Witch? This could all be some elaborate trap. The moment we step foot out of this cave your infernal beast will swallow us whole as you stand by a laugh.”
“I assure my lord, Neither Llyr nor I will harm any of you unprovoked. My offer is kindly meant and contains no hidden objectives, beyond bathing you all as your stench is starting to offended Llyr’s and my own sense of smell.” Skif snapped back. He fought the urge to just walk back out of her and let Llyr lock them back in. ‘No matter how much of a Bastard Sir Erik is, the others do not deserve to suffer for it.’
Ignoring Sir Erik Skif turned his attention to the other knights. “The summer storms have come early. I was not able to go out and gather food today. Llyr was nice enough to bring back enough not only for me but for you all as well. I recommend Milords that you accept this offer of good will if you wish to eat today, for there will be nothing else till the storm lets up. I will not force any of you to come out but I will not bring you any dinner either. Please decide for your selves.” Skif turned to leave only to pause a few steps later. “I wouldn’t suggest trying to make a run for it. The trail leading to valley is gone and the ground is all wet. I do not wish for any of you to slip to your deaths.”
After offering this warning Skif didn’t stick around to see their reaction, he walked back out to join Llyr who was perched atop what left of the unsorted pile. Skif made his way over to the roasted meat and cute a large chunk for himself and another for Llyr, it was only fair that he got to enjoy some too. Leaving the Knife resting on a nearby rock for the Knights, should they decide to join, Skif then made way over to Llyr and Sat down next to him. Llyr swallowed his piece whole, offering Skif a soft purr of thanks.
Half a candle mark later, Sir Thomas was the first to venture out of the prison. He gave Llyr and Skif who was up getting second at Llyr’s insistence as he made his way to the cave entrance. Skif returned to Llyr’s side and watched as Sir Thomas careful leaned over the edge to check the trail. It hurt a little that they didn’t believe him, but he could kind of understand too, they need to know that there was no escape.
Sir Thomas reentered the cave soaked, his eyes drifted from Skif and Llyr to the fire and steaming kettles and back. Llyr wrapped the tip of tail around Skif waist but may no other move. Skif wiped his face with his sleeve, removing the juices from his hunk of meat. Instead of moving closer to the fire Sir Thomas returned to the cave.
Skif could barely make out the sounds of the Knights arguing softly, it was clear that Sir Erik still don’t think it was safe, and Sir Marcus was siding with him against Sir Thomas and Sir Fredrick. Llyr gave Skif a little squeeze with his tails and a reassuring purr as if to say ‘they will work it out you just stay here.’
Eventually they did sort it out, kind of. Sir Thomas remerged helping Sir Fredrick make his was over to the fire. They had just had made it to the fire when Sir Marcus came out, rushing over to help his cousin sit down next to the fire.
Patting Llyr tail, Skif untangled himself and got up to get the soap and some rags for towels. He knew they didn’t need his help and he was no longer their servant but it still felt natural to help them. Sir Marcus just glared at Skif but accepted the soap and began to remove his and Sir Fredrick clothes for washing. Sir Thomas gave him a nodded and soft “good boy.”
Skif took the clothes away to wash later. He had sorted out some clothes from the pile of clothes that were relatively clean in good repair and what he hoped would be about the right side for each of them. He had left them next to the Boulder to give the Knights earlier. He quickly went and got them, He could see Sir Erik poking his head out, trying to see what was happening with the others. Skif grabbed up the closes and hurried back, trying his best to keep from glancing at his long time tormentor. As he made his way back, He felt Sir Erik pushed passed him intensely trying to knock the clothes out of his hand. Only years of putting up with the same such abuse, was Skif able not to drop anything.
By the time, Skif returned to the fire, all four of the Knights were scrubbing of the many layers of filth from the Month; none of them had had a descent bath since before the mad dash to get here. The best they could do was a hasty scrub down in the morning before being the days ride. Skif had made sure to give provide them with enough water during their time in their prison that they could have taken a bath if they had really wanted to they could but Being dirt was far better than being bathed in ice cold water from the pond.
Skif quickly place the second hand clothes within reach of the Knights and then made his way back to Llyr. Tucking himself between Llyr’s Front legs, Skif leaned back into his scaly chest bathing in the comforting heat it offered. Together, they watched the knights make short work of the hot water, Skif could see their wounds were healing nicely. Sir Thomas ribs would still take many months to heal, but he appeared to be breathing easier then the last time Skif had been able to examine him.
Once the Knights were clean and dressed they dug into the roasted boar like starved men. None of them had lost any weight during their forced stay here in the cave, Skif was sure that they actually have put on some pounds. Sir Erik certainly did the clothes Skif had picked out for him fitted him then his own and Skif knew that they were a little larger than what his lord Knight usually wore.
This realization didn’t come as much of a surprise to Skif. The Knights weren’t able to get much exercise being trapped in the dark and small chamber. Every day they would go through all the food Skif gave them, and the same amount of food would have fed Skif’s entire family for a week.
When they had finally moved on to their third helping Skif decide it was time to break the news to them. Clearing his throat to draw their attention, he stood up once he had it. “Ummm. I am glad you’re enjoying the roast… But I think it’s time we discuss the matter at hand.” His voices froze in his throat when he saw their anger glares. “For the last… For the last few days, Llyr has been searching… for something. I really don’t know what. But he has seemed to found it or is really close to finding it.”
Glancing back to Llyr make sure he got it right, Skif gather himself and continued, “Well Llyr has told me that he has to go away. He will be gone… well he does not know how long.”
Skif expected to be interrupted but he didn’t expect that Sir Marcus would be the one to cut him off. “SO he is letting us go? Just Like that.”
“It’s about time.” Sir Fredrick chorused.
Sir Thomas looked intrigued but cautious. Sir Erik appeared angrier by the news.
Skif feels guilty for having to destroy their hope. When Llyr had explained that He was going away he made it clear that he would not be letting the knights go. Skif could see why he was unwilling to release them, if they release the Knights would lead other to hunt Llyr. The Knights could not be trusted, Skif knew first had how good their word was worth and he knew that they would want revenge for themselves and their fallen comrades. ‘They would also want revenge against you too. Sir Erik would keep his promise to burn your family alive… I can’t let that happen.” Skif pushed those thoughts aside. He needs to focus on convincing the knights to help themselves.
“No, Milords, but that is not the case.” He put much force as he could manage into his words, and keep talking to prevent the knights from interrupting again. “I have conversed with Llyr several times and he remains unmoved on the idea of releasing any of you any time soon. I called you here to discuss how Llyr travel plans will affect you. For the time Llyr is away I will not be able to deliver daily supplies. Now I have managed to gather…”
Sir Erik Suddenly darted pass Skif and Llyr and lunged for at weapon pile and grabbed up the first sword he could get his hands on. Skif didn’t see what happened next cause he was knocked to the ground when Llyr spun around to face him. Llyr’s growl was deafening, echoing around the rooms drowning out whatever Sir Erik was yelling.
Skif could hear the sound of metal hitting the Llyr harden scales and bouncing off. It appeared as if Llyr was forcing Sir Erik to retreat back to the prison chamber by lunging and snapping and taking swings with his sharp talons. Whenever Sir Erik tried to break away Llyr was there to force him back again.
Once Llyr had him back at prison entrance, He wait for Sir Erik to take a big swing with his sword before he grabbed it and flicked the arrogant Knight back inside with a single finger. Before Sir Erik could regain his footing Llyr slid the giant boulder back in place locking him in.
Skif stood the entire time dumbfounded amazed by Sir Erik sudden burst of stupidity and Llyr cool collected response. He would have sworn that Llyr would have made good on his vow to eat the next Knight to try to go for a weapon or attempt to escape. A small voice in his head whispered, ‘He did it for you…’ As if confirming what the voice said Llyr turned and looked at him with his sparkling blue reptile eyes. Skif turned away to hide his blush, only to notice that the remaining three knights were standing next to the fire just as dumbfounded as he was a moment ago.
Llyr resumed his spot on top of the pile, beckoning Skif to return to the spot in front of him. Skif quickly slid into place against the Dragons warm chest; he silently tried to regain his focus as he absorbed the warmth. The Knight were still standing around unsure what to do till Llyr let out a loud huff sending the three stumbling backward in surprised. They quickly resumed, darting nervous glances at each other over the fire.
Once Skif was ready to resume discuss the matter, he cleared his throat nearly startling the knights out of their skins. “Oh I’m Sorry… I figured we should get back to the matter at hand before … well before we were interrupted. Because Llyr will be gone for several days, during which time I will be unable to continue giving you supplies every days. I will be spending the next couple of days before Llyr start his trek. The first problem I foresee is that making the food last for several days. I will of course gather as much as I can. But I need your help, I need you to ration … more then you have previously. I’m not asking you to starve yourselves of course merely try to save as much as possible so that it last three or five days.”
Skif was nervous to meet their gaze for fear of the reaction, at first all they three Knight just stare at him with blank expression till Llyr huffed again, causing there eyes to dart up to him then back to skiff nodding nervously. Sir Thomas once again was to speak for the group. His voice trembled a bit as he spoke, “As long as you can promise to get enough supplies we will do our best to ration. I will take personal responsibility over distribution of it.”
Felling a little better about the situation now that Sir Thomas was stepping forward, Skif launched into the all the rest of his plans including what other supplies he had managed to scrounged together like extra blankets and the oil lamps. Sir Thomas made a few reasonable suggestions and small request. The two of them talked for a few more marks before Llyr made his desire to sleep known.
Llyr escorted the nervous Knights back to their prison and tucked a glowing boulder in with them. Sir Thomas and Sir Marcus brought the dirty water and waste buckets and with Skif help the washed them and refilled them. Skif could see Llyr bearing his fangs at Sir Erik who was hunched in the back of the chamber. With help the nightly chores were completed in no time at all.
As soon as the boulder was slide back in place for night, Llyr scooped up Skif up and walked over to the fire. Skif watched as Llyr was blew the fire out as it was a simple candle flame. Together they made way back to the safety and comfort of their own chamber, both ready for their much needed rest.
The next few days would be long and busy for both of them.
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The next morning the storm had passed, and the hot summer sun was making quick work of the remaining clouds and wetness.
Working together they manage to collected enough food to last the Knights for at least four or five days over the course of three days. Kieran flew Skif to farther parts of the woods, to untapped resources and to the apple orchard to collect several bags of apples. Every day Skif snares were filled with summer fattened rabbits which he cooked and wrapped in large leaves with insect repellent herbs.
After a good night rest, Kieran was ready go, the sooner he left the sooner he could return to Skif. When he dropped off Skif, he squeezed the boy as long as Skif would let him before he took as fast he wings could carry him. He refused to look back, not even to see if Skif was watching because he was sure he would turn back.
‘May the wind spirits bless this trip with luck and speed.’
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Hope your feeling better Ayune01